Special agents for the FBI serve their country by enforcing more than 300 federal laws. No day is the same. One day can involve investigating white-collar crimes and the next can be involved with locating kidnapping victims. Because of the diversity and sensitivity of their positions, FBI agents need special qualifications.

Basics

Special agent applicants need to be either a citizen of the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands. They must be between 23 and 37 years old when they are appointed, although exceptions to the maximum age apply to eligible veterans. Applicants also need at least a bachelor’s degree related to the program they choose to enter. The degree must come from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Finally, they must have a valid driver’s license, be willing to travel anywhere within the FBI’s jurisdiction and have at least three years of related work experience. Individuals may apply online at the link listed under “Resources” on the FBI's website.

Entry Programs

Applicants must then choose one of five entry programs, which have varying additional qualifications. Accounting needs a certified public accountant designation, or a degree and experience in accounting. Computer science demands an education in computer science or electrical engineering. Degrees in other majors are fine with certification in Cisco networking. Language mandates a degree in qualifying languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish or Vietnamese. Candidates must pass proficiency tests in their chosen language. Law requires a juris doctor degree from any law school. Diversified entry accepts any bachelor’s degree plus three years of related work experience, or an advanced degree with two years of experience.

Skills

Whether candidates actually get a job offer depends on which of a dozen critical skills they can bring to the table. In fact, their applications are prioritized according to those skills. Aside from the abilities for entry programs, critical skills include finance, which mandates certification as a financial analyst, internal auditor or fraud examiner; intelligence experience, consisting of at least two full-time years in counterterrorism, counterintelligence or similar area; military experience, with at least two years of service; and physical science, with degrees such as biology, chemistry, forensics, math or medical specialties.

Training

Selected candidates must successfully pass a medical exam, physical fitness test and a background investigation. They then undergo 20 weeks of training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. In the classroom, they learn subjects such as law and ethics, interviewing and report writing, investigative techniques and forensic science. They then go through case exercises to test their knowledge. In field exercises, trainees also learn the use of firearms, how to increase fitness, operational skills and leadership. After graduation, new agents receive their first assignments but will return to the academy for future training.

About the Author

Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.